This weekend consisted of my brother’s grad show isaaklien.atspace.com (Art Center College of Design Grad Show 2008) on Friday and his graduation on Saturday morning….which basically consisted of me waking up at 8:30 am and rushing to get there.  Right after we went to devour Chinese food and at 3 pm, I was off to Cal Mart to Unique Los Angeles Indie Craft Tradeshow.  Props to Sonja for the most amazing independent craft/ art show I have ever been to.  By 7 pm, I was exhausted and ready to fall off my high chair and die a million times over.  It has been the most networking- filled weekend ever.  I got to meet tons of amazing artists and crafters.

My friend’s Cool Sneak.  DROOL.  I want to find random sneakers in someone’s trunk!!

ART CENTER GRAD SHOW 2008, Painted Mural :  I heart the colors- whoever painted this.  You RULE!

One word: COOL.

After going to all these artistically stimulating events, I started thinking about being a vendor at a craftie show.  The only problem is…do I have the time to continue providing products if the demand is high for them?  Am I ready to do this?  Let me prepare and research some more.  And then maybe…I’ll set out for real.

At a wedding December 6th, had the most fun with my friend Kristeenar (inside joke) driving to and from it.  When you find that friend who completely understands and does not  judge you…man. IT’s BOMB.  In a good way.

On another note, I am so grateful for all my friends.  I honestly feel blessed to have all my girlfriends.  I have seen them grow and mature, seen them through the rocky stages of life and I am so FREAKEN PROUD OF THEM.  That is enough- seeing your friends become beautiful women with beautiful hearts.  They remind me of who I am meant to be and encourage me to fulfill my potential.  Like Van Gogh said, the most artistic thing is to love people, I believe art convicts us to greater depths of love.  To all artists and art- appreciators, think deeply, question deeply, and find deeply.  In the end, love deeply.  Adios, til next time- when I will be fully liberated of school work.

Looks like a Gossip Girl Pic.

Just burned my tongue on super hot tea.  Bumza.  BLAH.  Yesterday I went to the FIDM Alumni Dinner with my friend, it was off the hook!!  There were about 200 alumnis and staff, mostly clad in black and cocktail dresses.  I find that even now, it’s hard to be fully myself on a blog just because everyone can see it!  Even so- I will continue with this.  The event was located in London Hotel in West Hollywood- do not trust the parking people next to the Hotel.  We found a lot where you could park for 10 bucks, what a deal (with much sarcasm).  The man parked my car as if he was high on coffee, swerving like he was about to crash my car.  I then saw him oh so carefully parking the Mercedez…ah the inequality of this world.  As I walk to my car, I noticed that the rear was comfortable lodged against a tree trunk.  What is a tree trunk doing in a parking lot anyways?

To my relief, nothing damaged.

The highlight?  Socializing with other FIDM alumni- it’s so rewarding to see others achieve their dreams, their passions!  For me, I’m still working it out, but life is a journey right?  It’s a fun journey and everyday I’m living it to the fullest.  Everyone- I heart Olivia Ong, she is an amazing Bossa Nova singer.  Her voice is smooth as the best coffee on earth and it brings you literally to a small homey house in Italy, coffee in hand, nice couch, and a good book or journal.  “In another words, please be true~~~”.

The other day my classmate said to me “you know all the good websites!  Tell me more!!”.  I had told her about where I got my business cards printed and how affordable it was compared to vistaprint.com.  Because everyone goes there, everyone thinks it is is cheaper.  WRONG.  I go to Gotprint.com, based in Burbank.  Though I had a tough time trying to make my Illustrator file dimensions match with the criteria, my beautiful business cards came in less than a week, shiny and perfect.

I am a hyper- maniac about researching the best sources, the best sites, the best deals…and I love simply surfing the net.  Thus, I have decided to post all my “secret and coveted” websites to the right, such as my beloved fashion internship sites.  What is good cake without sharing it right?  Remember to mention me, not promising any discounts…but maybe just for the sake of networking right?

Lately I have been obssessed with wedding and event planning.  Here are some of the traits that Opportunities in Event Planning Career

• willingness to work a flexible schedule with long hours
• experience in delegating
• negotiating skills (I will be taking a class on that next quarter, plus I’m reading a book called Women Don’t Ask– outlining how women earn less because they don’t think to ask for a promotion or raise.  Innately women are more nurturing, so they avoid asking to avoid competition or hurting others.  I have discovered though, sometimes you earn respect by asking for it.  I’ve learned that when I get compensated for my work, I will put 110% into it- it will be the BEST of me.  Not because I’m greedy, but because this is the work world, not time to be Asian)
• verbal and written communication skills
• multi- tasking
• self- starter
• good problem solver
• budget/ time management skills
• people person- relational and customer service oriented

A short update on my life– November and December is crazy season.  I have two weddings to play cello and piano for before December ends (one this coming Saturday actually).  Thank Jesus for Veteran’s Day, though I must say, everyone takes Veterans for granted (me included).  I am starting to love my freelance work at The Sewing Studio, I HEART interacting with the students- maybe because we all love fashion and FIDM.  I feel more at ease, more myself, more comfortable simply helping people, answering questions.  I am so passionate about helping people find their hearts’ passions.  I will be counseling youth at a youth retreat December 27-30, may God grant me loads of strength and patience (something tells me I will be tried).  Oh yes and my Japanese friend is coming over for Thanksgiving Break (must clean my room).  Oh yes and my beloved Taiwanese friend is also moving to America in December.

Hopefully I can find a steady part time marketing/ event job in the Spring.  Otherwise, living life to the fullest 🙂

Click Here To See MY NEW SHOP- “BEAUTY IN CHAOS”

So I finally gave myself a kick and decided to give this whole “online shop” a try.  I’ve always ALWAYS wanted to have my own business, shop, whatever, ever since I was young I sold anything I could find in my room.  I remember carrying around a black bag my mom made and having secret products with labels such as 25 cents.

As if that was anything.  But it was the accomplishment of it.  I made 25 cents from something that cost me nothing, a toy from Mcdonald’s.  It was exactly that.  Or Morning Glory papers I sold at 5 cents each, time 100, you can make a lot, you know?

For years I dreamed up what I could do.  Through high school years, I continued researching on ebay, and reading books about making crafty things.  I was obsessed with balancing my money, doing my finance, and at the same time, wondering how in the world you can make money from a bag that took you 10 hours to make?  And will anyone actually buy hand- made?

The point is this…I’ve decided to start, albeit small.  With magic 9 items and more and more to come- I am praying that someone will see my little shop and take notice.  Maybe one of my cello students quit so I can have more time to focus on this little dream of mine.  There’s no success without some failure, I’m ready for anything.

Remember to take a look, shop, buy, then refer my link, place my link on your blog (I’ll do the same, just let me know, thanks for all your support!

CLARE BEAR KEYCHAIN in my STORE!

Beauty In Chaos

This summer, I went to Taiwan…

the physical changes? A new hair color, a new hair cut (they call it- jelly fish hair, long on the bottom layer, short on the top), 2 new ear piercings…no tattoos of course, too much of a wuss. Oh yes, I grew taller due to biking everywhere for a whole month in Chiayi, Taiwan.

On the other hand, there were heart changes. The people of Taiwan took my heart away. Even though I was not born in Taiwan, nor even lived there for many years, their heartfelt and genuine friendship pierced this sometimes individualistic heart of mine.

I went there to teach English and Bible truths, but came back with more knowledge than ever. There is something reminiscent about groups of friends going out to drink boba milk tea and studying together at Mcdonald’s…reminds me of when my mother used to invite 20-30 piano students to our house. Even though I was a youngan back then, I enjoyed the warmth, the easy-going laughters, the shared knowledge that we, though different, was like one big family.

I’m typing this at 5:26 am, completely jet- lagged, a little sick, but I thank God for the memories. I feel out of place here in LA, but I know these life- changing experiences are the pivotal moments that make me who I am today. I still miss Taiwan. Asides from good food, cheap and cute clothes, convenient transportation, 30 cents 700cc sized tea, friendly unguarded people….and many more…I miss mostly the friends I’ve made there.

Of course, closing one chapter in your life means opening another. So I store these precious memories and look for the next. I must:

1. Study Chinese

2. Reach one step higher to becoming a fashion designer

3. Cherish those moments of friendship…wherever I am.

To give you an idea of what I mean- that moment when this 16 year old boy started singing “Kiss Me” in ridiculously funny tones. It could have been an ordinary moment, but when I seeped myself into the exact time, moment, space, I knew this might be a moment that will disappear, a moment I needed to cherish. So being a cry baby, I started tearing up. Alas life to its bittersweetness, but alas to its sweetness.